Inside Kimauri’s Blog

  Hi, my name is Kimauri Chatman, and for this blog, I interviewed my mom, who grew up in the late 70s and 80s. She experienced music in a way that’s very different from how I do today. From gospel Sundays to cassette tapes and live concerts. Her stories gave me a deeper appreciation for how music shaped her life and our family’s culture. What was music’s role in your household growing up?  When I asked her about music’s role in her household growing up, she smiled and said, “Music woke us up on weekends.” Soul Train was a big deal every weekend, the family would gather to watch it. “There were all these new artists you guys don’t even know about,” she said. Gospel music filled the house on Sunday mornings, setting a spiritual tone for the day. And during Christmas, it was all about The Temptations’ holiday songs. How did you listen to music as a kid technology-speaking?  Technology-wise, she recalled listening to music on records and tapes. “Wow,” she said, “we had recor...

      Music has always been a part of the important moments in my life, even if I didn’t always notice it at first. One tradition that stands out to me is the music played at family cookouts and reunions. The vibe is always fun and full of energy, and the music plays a big role in that. The kind of music we play is usually a mix of old-school R&B, soul, gospel, and newer hip-hop.Artists like Frankie Beverly & Maze, Mary J. Blige, and Kirk Franklin are regulars on the playlist. Sometimes, one of my uncles will DJ using his phone and a Bluetooth speaker, and he takes requests from everybody. Other times, someone will just start singing along or dancing, and it turns into a whole moment. The music brings people together it’s not just background noise, it’s part of the celebration. It sets the mood, helps people connect, and reminds us of past gatherings. One song that always gets played is “Before I Let Go” by Maze featuring Frankie Beverly. It’s like a signal that t...